[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               TRIBUTE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE'S STAND DOWN '94

                                 ______


                            HON. DICK SWETT

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 1994

  Mr. SWETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in paying tribute to the many New Hampshire volunteers who planned and 
executed Stand Down '94. Stand down is a military term, meaning to take 
a break from combat, or stand down from action. Stand Down '94, held 
during the weekend of June 11 and 12, was an opportunity for homeless 
veterans to take a much needed break from their daily battle with 
homelessness. It was a chance for these veterans to access the many 
day-to-day services which most people take for granted: hot food, hot 
showers, and shelter. But Stand Down '94 was much more than this.
  Stand Down '94 also provided the opportunity for homeless veterans to 
directly access their entitlements, to obtain medical evaluations, to 
get career counseling and job placement * * * even to obtain new photo 
identification. Although other stand downs have been held through the 
country, Stand Down '94, at the New Hampshire Veterans' Home in Tilton, 
NH, was the first in the Nation to be done without financial aid from 
government resources. A host of veteran service organizations, 
government employees, volunteer groups, private companies, and 
individual citizens pulled together to make Stand Down '94 the success 
that it was.
  Mr. Speaker, although over 500 people contributed either their 
personal time, equipment, or material goods to this effort, I want to 
call special attention to 2 individuals. The first is Tom Norris, of 
the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, who acted as the 
chairman of Stand Down '94. Tom's inspired leadership was the guiding 
force that made this event happen. The second is Barry Conway, 
commander of the New Hampshire Veterans' Home, where Stand Down '94 was 
held. Barry's willingness and enthusiasm to host this event on the 
grounds of the Veterans' Home is what sparked others to contribute. 
These two veterans have shown their commitment to their fellow 
veterans, and stand as an example for others.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in praising Tom Norris, 
Barry Conway, and the rest of the 500 volunteers that made Stand Down 
'94 in Tilton, NH, a great success. Stand Down '94 should serve as a 
model for similar initiatives throughout the country, where our 
homeless veterans are given the opportunities, which they need and 
deserve, to win their battle against homelessness.

                          ____________________